Gerald was like, "Josephine's been super busy lately. Think she's still swamped? Would it be a bad time to drop by?"
Laura chimed in, "Now that Josephine calls you brother, you guys are basically family! I feel like a sister to her too, and I'm so happy for her!"
Gerald nodded, "Yeah, and there's also this girl Claudia. You all have been amazing to Josephine. Thanks for being there for her all these years."
Laura waved it off, "No need to thank me. We've been friends forever; it's not like we did it for your gratitude."
Gerald grinned, "Can you hit up Josephine now?"
"Sure thing." Laura pulled out her phone and then paused, "Wait, shouldn't we surprise her?"
"What kind of surprise?" Gerald and Steven both looked curious.
Laura's eyes lit up, "This is a big deal! We should celebrate! Let's get her a bouquet of flowers; that's all I can think of right now."
Gerald agreed, "Alright, I'll go get it."
It had been ages since Gerald stepped into a flower shop. Usually, his secretary handled stuff like this for family birthdays or other events.
He walked into the shop, determined to pick out the perfect bouquet for Josephine himself.
The shop assistant greeted him, "Who are the flowers for?"
Gerald replied, "For my sister."
"How old is she? Any favorite flowers?"
Gerald's eyes landed on a bouquet with roses and a bright yellow sunflower in the center. It was vibrant and eye-catching.
"I want this one."
The shop assistant smiled, "Sorry, that one's reserved."
"I'll pay double... no, five times the price."
The shop assistant, taken aback by his assertiveness, realized she could make another bouquet in time and quickly agreed, "Alright!"
With the bouquet in hand, Gerald headed to Josephine's workplace to meet up with Laura and the gang.
Laura said she'd call Josephine to come out, leaving the rest to Gerald.
As Steven drove, he joked, "Why does this feel like a proposal?"
Laura rolled her eyes, "It's not. You just don't get it. This is about making it special."
"Romance and marriage need to be special, but does reuniting with family?"
"Absolutely," Laura insisted. "Women are emotional. It feels different when there's a special touch. Imagine Gerald just showing up empty-handed and saying, 'I'm your brother,' and then they both just cry?"
"And flowers change that?"
"I'm done talking to you!" Laura huffed.
Steven reached for her hand, "Okay, okay, I'll stop. When have I ever not made things special for you?"
Laura softened, "What, are you complaining?"
"Of course not!" Steven said, "Laura, please forgive me."
Laura smiled, "Today's a good day; I won't argue with you."
Steven kissed her hand, "Thanks, babe!"
Laura gave him a playful glare but let it go.
Since Gerald went to get the flowers, they arrived first. Laura called Josephine, saying she had something to discuss. Soon after, Gerald arrived in a family car he was driving himself, not the one that had the fender bender with Laura.
He stepped out, holding the flowers, and Laura saw him and said, "Nice choice."
Gerald, a bit nervous, replied, "Thanks."
It was clear he hadn't done something like this before. Despite having already met Josephine that day and feeling a certain connection, confirming she was indeed the sister who had disappeared years ago, that sweet sister made Gerald feel like shedding tears.
Laura took out her phone, "I'll give Josephine a call to let her know we're here so she can come down."
When Laura called earlier, Josephine already felt uneasy. She couldn't explain why, but she had a feeling that made it hard to focus.
She called Andrew to confirm that Jeffery was fine. Andrew was helping him with his writing.
After the call, Josephine still felt uneasy. She took a sip of water and checked her phone once more.
Since Laura said she was coming, Josephine had already arranged her work, so she wasn't busy at the moment.
Lost in thought, her phone rang. She quickly answered, "Hello?"
"Josephine, it's me."
"Mom," Josephine said, "What's up?"
Esther said, "I know about the call your dad made last time. I talked to him; he always says the wrong things. Don't be like him."
Josephine said, "Mom, I'm at work. Do you have anything else?"
"Josephine, no matter what, you're our child. We wouldn't harm you, would we? You've been gone for over five years. Have you considered our feelings? We adopted Emily out of necessity."
"Mom, I have no objections to you adopting Emily. I'm grateful she can be there to accompany and take care of you."
"If you're grateful, then help her out. You don't know, the Campbell Family has a lot of issues with her because of Alfonso now."
"I really can't help with that," Josephine said, "Do you have anything else?"
"You..." Esther wanted to curse but held back, "Do you really not want any connection with us in the future?"
"No," Josephine said, "I will fulfill my duty of support, including medical and care expenses. But please don't interfere with my life or force me to do things I don't want to do."
"You!" Esther said coldly, "If that's how you feel, then forget about the family business."
Josephine said, "I remember Grandpa and Grandma made a will before they passed."
"That has nothing to do with you!"
"The shares are mine. I will fight for what's mine," Josephine said, "Even if I don't want them, I can donate them to those in need."
"How dare you!" Esther finally lost her temper, "How did I raise such an ungrateful daughter! If I had known..."
"It's too late for words now. I won't allow an outsider to take Grandpa and Grandma's legacy," Josephine asserted.
"To us, you're the outsider!" Esther's voice was sharp, "I regret raising you!"
Josephine calmly hung up the phone. Her face showed no emotion. But as she breathed, it felt like something deep inside her was being torn, causing pain.
Lost in thought, her phone rang again. She answered and heard Laura say, "Josephine, come down, we're here!"